Gun sight



W. A. CARUTH GUN SIGHT Filed Feb. 10, 1927 Patented Aug. 11, 1931 ICE TET 50F WILLIAM A. CARUTH, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA GUN SIGHT Application filed February 10, 1927. Serial No. 167,180.

My invention relates generally to gun sights for small arms and ordnance requiring accuracy of fire throughout extended ranges and more particularly to the sighting arrangements for hunting and sporting rifles, military rifles and machine guns.

In the commonly used sights on ordinary military or target rifles, as the ranges are increased, the necessary additional elevations are obtained by the raising of the slotted or apertured bar that forms a part of the mechanism of the rear or back sight. This prin ciple has three serious disadvantages: first, there is too much complication of parts and mechanism which of necessity must be carefully observed and kept in order and in place; second, the repeated sighting changes and adj ustments that are necessary lead to frequent errors; and third, the elevations of the rear sight bar, as the ranges increase, cause the rifleman to raise his line of vision and lift his head and the upper part of his body away from the gun stock, thereby materially interferring with the firm and consistent close hold that accuracy of fire demands.

Where the ranges are extensive, the back sight of the average military rifle places a disturbing visual and muscular strain upon the marksman, which, depending upon the design of the rifle, has its effect at either the upper or lower points of the travel of the sighting bar and the nearer the back sight is to the eye, the more pronounced does the strain become.

My invention has six principal objects: first, the elimination in the number of movable units and the exclusion of all complicated and delicate mechanical parts in rifle sights; second, the provision of a sighting arrangement that completely designates the elevations and drifts for various and extended ranges and requiring no manual operations or adjustments therefor; third, the transfer of the changes in elevation due to range requirements, from the back sight to the front sight, thus taking the horizontal variations further from the eye of the marksman and leaving his vision through the back sight and his bodily posture unchanged; fourth, the automatic accomplishment of the range finding by the military marksman, due to the peculiar construction of my improved military rifle sight; fifth, the accommodation of the sighting system to the object of aim, whereby the sportsman or target shooter may find range differentials over known distances adapted to his game or to the standard targets in use for the standard ranges sixth, the complete view of the object of aim and its .immediate environments, together with clarity and orthoptic effect at the front sight.

WVith the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts that will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a rifle and showing my improved front sight in position 0 on the forward portion of the barrel.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a sighting device embodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 4 and 4c" are front elevational views of the upper portion of my improved sight with graphic illustrations of an enemy figure at two hundred, four hundred and six hundred yards range, respectively.

Figs. 5 and 5 are front elevational views of my improved sight as constructed for use on target rifles and graphically illustrating standard targets as viewed at range distances of six hundred and one thousand yards, respectively.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of my improved front sight as adapted for rifles of longer range and more especially for machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.

Fig. 7 is an elevational view showing my improved front sight in combination with an ordinary rear peep sight and with the gun upon which the sights are located aimed at a standard target of two hundred yards range.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of my improved sight.

Fig. 9 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of partsthat areinterchangeably associated with the modified form of the sight illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring in detail to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, G designates a small arm, for instance a rifle, B the barrel thereof, P the peep or back sight, or the sight that is nearest to the marksmans eye and S the tubular body of my improved front sight which is positioned on the forward portion of barrel B and firmly secured thereto in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a set screw H that passes through the lower portion of the tubular body and bears on the gun barrel.

Formed integral with and projecting upwardly from the top of the tubular body S are relatively thin parallel walls 10 that are suitably spaced apart and formed integral with the forward ends of these walls are inwardly projecting pairs of lugs or lips D and D. The vertical widths of the lugs D and D are substantially equal and the horizontal space between the pair of lugs D and the pair D is approximately equal to the vertical width of the lugs. Likewise the vertical sight opening between the inner ends of the two pairs of lugs is substantially equal to the width of the horizontal sight opening.

The rear faces of the lugs D and D or those faces that are nearest to the marksman are coated or treated so as to render the same black, thereby obtaining better definition of the marginal lines of the lugs or ears.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, ranges or sight designations may be stamped or impressed on the outer faces of the walls 10 adjacent to the inwardly projecting lugs or lips D and D, or these designations may be omitted from said walls and taught to the soldier or user of the arm, either verbally or by instruction sheets.

The upper and lower edges of the lugs D and D, as well as the imaginary horizontal lines that pass through the centers of said lugs and through the horizontal sight openings between and below said lugs, are utilized as range lines and the latter are indicated by dotted lines and range numbers in yards are illustrated in Figs. 4, 4 and 4 5, 5 and 6. Figs. 4, 4 and 4 show the front sight as seen by the military marksman over what may be termed battle range and in said figures I have illustrated views of an enemy figure as seen at ranges of two hundred yards, four hundred yards and six hundred yards respectively. The line designated by F-F and which extends horizontally across the horizontally disposed sight opening between the pairs of lugs D and D defines the line upon which the rifleman should sight in the enemys feet in order to accomplish a body hit at any range between two hundred and six hundred yards. If the inner light space between the upper corners of the upper pair of lugs D is arranged to subtend a lateral distance of two feet at two hundred yards, then the lower corners of the upper lugs D will subtend a lateral distance of six feet in six hundred yards.

lVith respect to the type of military sight illustrated in Figs. 4, 4 and 4", the exe1nplification of ranges may be understood for Patent Office consideration as nominal. These sight designations are illustrative only, and it is understood that meters may be substituted for yards, or that any other system of ranges and measurements may be utilized. The sights shown in Figs. 4, 4 and 4 are convenient for descriptive purposes and showing only one of the methods by which my invention may be followed for practical purposes.

It will be observed. that in 4, 4 and 4 the sighting lugs D converge downwardly and toward the right. This arrangement provides a sight of peculiar and exceptional military value.

Given in Figs. 4, 4 and 4" a light space between the uper edges of the top lugs D, which light space, considering the distance between the marksmans eye and the front sight, is calculated to subtend a width on the two hundred yard target of two feet, we have at one hundred yards one foot of subtended width at fifty yards, six inches of subtended width; and at twenty-five yards, three inches of subtended width.

The longer ranges maintaining parallel inner edges for the top lugs D, at six hundred yards serve six feet of subtended width or width of view between the top lugs. This develops a feature of my invention that is of especial advantage to the military marksman. There has always been a problem in the experience of the expert military marksman as to how range finding may be made errorproof and automatic and my invention solves this problem.

Methods have been tried that involve the supposed height of an enemy soldier and range finding has been attempted by assuming a certain height for the average man. This method is faulty, for only one standard of adult male dimension is uniform for all races of mankind. This is not a standard of height, but on the other hand, a standard of width. Men may vary from five feet to six feet in height, but in width they do not vary to any appreciable degree. The width of practically every man eligible to military service with the arms at the sides gives a constant dimension from elbow to elbow and upward to a point from shoulder to shoulder of twenty-four inches or two feet, and this dimension is the same whether standing or prone.

I adapt my sight at two hundred yards to subtend a light space of two feet and to subtend at six hundred yards a light space between the lower edges of the upper lugs D of six feet. This would place a man at six hundred yards exactly within the middle third of the light space where he is seen at six hundred yards. Then by reducing the light space between the upper edges of the lower pair of lugs D a width of six feet to be again subtended and the width of a man at eight hundred yards will fill the middle third of said light gap. By drawing the lower edges of the lugs D still closer to each other as the scale descends, there can be obtained by mathematical exactness a light space between these lower edges subtending six feet at one thousand yards range and the width of the mans upper body, when sighted upon, will fill the middle third of the space between said lower edges.

The advantage is therefore obvious, for a military sight embodying the principles of my invention is automatic in its capabilities as a range finder. If, for example, at six hundred yards the soldier finds that his enemys body appears narrower than the middle third of the light space in his sight at that range, the marksman must take a lower sight level until he finds the target filling the middle third of the light gap, say for instance, at eight hundred yards or one thousand yards.

In the use of the military front sight as illustrated in Figs. 4, 4: and 4 it is only necessary for the rifleman to obtain sight on his human target in the middle third of the space between the inner edges of the lugs D or D in order to accomplish an exact finding of correct range and the necessary elevation.

It is apparent, of course, that as the ranges increase, the use of a descending scale on the front sight contemplated by my invention raises the muzzle of the piece in relation to the target and thereby obtains the required increasing elevations.

It will be noted that there is a slight cast or drift to the right and downward in the illustrations of the sighting lugs D in Figs. 4, 4 and 4 and which provision is made in order to take care of the drift of the projectile. It is known that where the grooves of a rifle twist to the left, a drift to the left on the part of the projectile follows. A twist of rifling to the right produces, by gyroscopic action on the projectile, a drift to the right and which drift in either direction is particularly noticeable at the longer ranges. In Figs. 4, 4 and 4 the sight is constructed so as to neutralize the tendency of the projectile to drift to the right when the rifling of the piece is correspondingly grooved.

In Figs. 4:, 4 and 4 particular attention is directed to the imaginary line F-F which extends centrally through the horizontally disposed light space between the lower edges of the lugs D and the upper edges of the lugs has only to sight in his enemys feet upon this imaginary line F F in order to achieve, by keeping the body of his target in the center of the vertical sight space between the inner edges of the lugs, a successful hit. The walking or running movements of the lower limbs between the knees and the feet are among the most prominent visual facts in the observation of an enemy line, and the soldier can readily learn to place the feet of his human target upon the imaginary line F-F.

In the modern military rifle with modern ammunition developing approximately twenty-seven hundred feet per second muzzle velocity, the battle sights are set for from four hundred yards to five hundred and fifty yards. When set for five hundred yards, battle range, aiming at the enemys belt, at the muzzle, or at five hundred yards range, a belt hit is effected by accurate aim, but between the muzzle and five hundred yards, the projectile ranges high and a hit in the head or a miss over the shoulders is possible.

Sighting in the middle of the central vertical light line with the enemys feet on the imaginary line FF, with accurate aim, results in a body hit by practically every shot between two hundred yards and six hundred yards. This example is nominal and according to the variations in the muzzle velocity of the projectile and in the ballistic efficiency thereof, the battle range might be less or greater than six hundred yards. Thus my invention is one of principle.

From the average soldier, accurate battle fire up to six hundred yards is all that can be reasonably expected, and the company commander who can be sure of such eflicienoy on the part of his men is well content; and my improved sighting device insures this efliciency.

Twelve hundred yards or ten hundred yards, or even eight hundred yards range of accurate fire belongs only to the ability of the expert. A twelve hundred yards range, according to all authorities, is all that the military rifle requires for fighting accommodation, and sight ranges set above this distance having a passing psychological value, but no real merit.

My invention, when utilized as a front sight on sporting and target rifles and as illustrated in Fig. 5, presents a novel possibility to the advantage of target experts. The long range marksman shoots over known ranges and he is most concerned with having his sights in agreement with his view of the game or the target.

Again given nominal and exemplary dimensions, a consequent advantage attained by the use of my invention in the target type of gun sight is, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 5, that the vertical sight spaces between the inner edges of the pairs of lugs D and D are D. As heretofore described, the rifleman equal in width throughout their height.

Obviously, the width of View subtended between vertical parallel lines in the sight is in proportion to the distance between the sight and the target. Standard targets are usually black bulls eyes within white rectangular fields, and the usual target showing white width of two feet, at 200 yards, six feet at 600 yards, and ten feet at 1000 yards. Hence, if the light space between the upper edges of the upper pair of lugs D at two hundred yards subtends two feet, then the light space between the lower edges of said lugs at six hundred yards subtends six feet. Likewise, the space between the upper edges of the lugs D at eight hundred yards subtcnds eight feet, while the light space between the lower edges of said lugs subtends ten feet on the target at one thousand yards.

Thus, my improved sight of the target type gives the professional or expert rifleman a sight that conforms with the targets now in general use and enables the marksman, over known distances, to more easily place his target into range between the pairs of hi D and D for long distance shooting.

Fig. 5 shows a piece carrying a sight embodying my invention sighted on a target at six hundred yards range and the standard target at this distance comprises a twenty inch black bulls-eye within a six foot white square. Fig. 5" shows the piece equipped with my improved front sight, sighted on a target at one thousand yards and at this distance the standard target consists of a thirtysix inch black bulls-eye within a white oblong field ten feet in width. T he sight illustrated in Figs. 5 and 5 is slightly different from the military inodel illustrated in Figs. *l, 4: and r in that it is designed for the sportsman and expert target shot and the light widths between the inner edges of the pairs of lugs D and D are the same, although the vertical inner edges of the lugs drift slightly toward the right and downward to compensate for the drift of the projectile.

here the sight is designed for military use, as illustrated in Figs. 4, l and 4, the inner vertical edges of the lugs, and particlarly the lower pair D, converge downwardly and at the same time drift toward the right.

In Fig. 7, my improved front sight is shown as seen through the ordinary rear peep sight with the piece sighted on a standard target at two hundred yards, and which target of standard form has a nine inch black bulls-eye enclosed in a twenty-four inch white square.

In the modified structure illustrated in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, the pairs of sighting lugs, instead of being formed on the front edges of the wings 10, are separately formed and a single plate 12, having formed thereon the pairs of sighting lugs D and D, may

be rigidly fixed by means of pins or screws on top of the tubular member S between the walls 10 thereon, and which latter serve to protect the plate and lugs against injuries or accident and service.

This modification may also include a substantially L-shaped plate, as illustrated in Fig. 11, one wing of which is formed so as to be used as a military sight and the other wing formed for target use and this L- shaped member is mounted on a shaft or spindle 13 that is ournaled in the lower portions of wings 10 and said spindle carrying a knurled head 14L by means of which either wing may be brought into vertical position for use.

My invention contemplates the use of the commonly known peep or round aperture ght for the bac sighting arrangement andv this peep sight may be an open sight or one with a lens in the aperture. Telescope sights close to the riflemans eye may also be used. The rear sight may be adj nsted for zero in elevation or laterally for windage and I make no claim for the invention of any form of rear or back sight, except as combined with a front sight of my particular design.

A further advantage of my invention is the use of my improved front sighting arrangement as applied to machine guns and anti-aircraft guns and where the device is constructed for these uses. a third pair of lugs D is arranged below and in proper spaced position relative to the lugs D, or a fourth, fifth, or sixth pair of lugs may be added. These additional sighting lugs provide for additional ranges. My invention contemplates a front gunsight having a complete vertical open area of vision with minimum of obstruction and horizontal lugs with corresponding upper and lower edges extending toward each other, and consequently toward the centrally arranged vertical sight opening and, further, a gun sight embodying my invention eliminates all range change between front and rear sights and makes the adjustments solely as bet-ween upper and lower horizontal edges of the lugs of the front sight and the target.

here alarge target, such as a ship, an aeroplane, or a large body of men is in view, a front sight of the type illustrated in Fig. 6 insures a successful hit without over fine precision as long as the object of aim comes into and fills the vertical line of sight between the inner edges of the respective pairs of lugs D, D and D. This central vertical line of sight, with its upper edge held at the top of a large target, insures a danger zone for everything included within its visual limits.

\Vhile I have shown and described my improved front sight as having two or more pairs of the oppositely disposed sighting lugs, it will be understood that my invention 35. iitUNlt i IL ii? E 751 contemplates the use of but a single pair of lugs which may be employed for accurate sighting up to certain ranges.

It will be understood that minor changes in the size, form and construction of the various parts of my improved gun sights may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A front sight for fire arms, comprising pairs of lugs spaced apart so as to form between them a single vertical and a plurality of horizontally disposed sight openings that intersect the vertical sight opening and the upper and lower edges of which lugs constitute horizontally disposed sight edges.

2. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support adapted to be secured oritlifront portion of afirearmaiidpaii's of lugs formed on said siipport, which lugs are spaced apart verticallyand horizontally and the upper and lower edges of the lugs on one side of the vertical openings between the pairs of spaced lugs, cooperating with the corresponding edges 011 the lugs on the other side of said vertical opening to form horizontally disposed sighting edges.

3. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support adapted to be positioned on the front portion of a sight arm, pairs of lugs carried by said support, the members of each pair of lugs being spaced apart and arranged in horizontal alignment, said pairs of lugs being spaced apart vertically so as to form between them a vertically disposed sight opening of substantially equal width throughout its height, said lugs being provided with upper and lower horizontally disposed sighting edges and the inner adjacent edges of the lugs below the upper pair being slightly inclined laterally in the same direction.

4. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support adapted to be positioned on the front portion of a sight arm, pairs of lugs carried by said support, the members of each pair of lugs being spaced apart and arranged in horizontal alignment, said pairs of lugs being spaced apart vertically so as to form between them a vertically disposed sight opening of substantially equal width throughout its height, said lugs being provided with upper and lower horizontally disposed sighting edges and the inner adjacent edges of certain of which lugs converge downwardly.

5. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support, a pair of spaced lugs on said support, which lugs are formed with horizontally aligned upper and lower sighting edges, there being a vertically disposed sight opening formed between said lugs and the inner vertical edges of which lugs converge downwardly.

6. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support, a pair of spaced lugs on said support, which lugs are formed with horizontally aligned upper and lower edges, there being a vertically disposed sight opening formed between said lugs and the inner vertical edges of which lugs are slightly inclined laterally in the same direction.

7 A front sight for fire arms, comprising a support, a pair of spaced lugs on said support, which lugs project toward each other and are formed with horizontally aligned upper and lower sighting edges, there being a vertically disposed sight opening formed between said lugs and the inner Vertical edges of which lugs are slightly inclined laterally in the same direction and converge downwardly.

8. A front sight for fire arms, comprising a pair of relatively narrow spaced supports substantially parallel lugs projecting inwardly toward each other from said supports, the inner edges of which lugs are spaced apart and the upper and lower edges of said lugs occupying horizontally disposed planes that cooperate to form sighting edges.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM A. CARUTH. 

